The report includes several University campus safety and security policy statements and crime statistics for the past three years. The policy statements address the University's policies, procedures and programs concerning safety and security, for example, responding to emergency situations and sexual assaults. Paper copies for any Penn State campus are available upon request; contact the University's compliance coordinator at 30 Eisenhower Parking Deck, University Park, PA 16802, or by email at grg125@psu.edu.

Barbara Christ, senior associate dean and professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named interim dean of the college while a national search for a permanent replacement gets under way. Current Dean Bruce McPheron announced his plans to take on the role of vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University, his undergraduate alma mater, in November.

The Penn State Board of Trustees will hold its regular bi-monthly meeting on Friday, Sept. 14, in The Nittany Lion Inn on the University Park campus. The meeting will be streamed live by Penn State Public Broadcasting at http://wpsu.org/live. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. with remarks from President Rodney Erickson.

This year Penn State will be participating in the Dow Sustainability Innovation Challenge Award (SISCA). The competition recognizes graduate students and universities for innovations in the advancements of a more sustainable world. Winners will be selected and awarded for original and holistic thinking, excellence in research, potential to make significant improvements to society, and strong interdisciplinary work. The top team will win a monetary prize of $10,000 (a runner-up team will be awarded $2,500).

YOUTH WATER EDUCATORS INVITED TO 'DIVE DEEPER': Educators who teach youth about water resources can get useful information to help plan their curricula by attending "Dive Deeper," a youth water education summit to be offered Sept. 27 by Penn State Extension. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Best Western Premier -- The Central Hotel and Conference Center in Harrisburg, Pa. For the full story, visit http://live.psu.edu/story/60595 online.

HUMANITIES MINI-COURSES FOR DOCTORS SHARPEN THINKING AND CREATIVITY: Mini-courses designed to increase creative stimulation and variety in physicians' daily routines can sharpen critical thinking skills, improve job satisfaction and encourage innovative thinking, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers who piloted a series of such courses. For the full story, visit http://live.psu.edu/story/60623 online.

A businessman active in politics, philanthropy, agriculture, conservation and photography will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Penn State. The University's Board of Trustees today (July 13) approved Howard G. Buffett to receive the degree at the 10 a.m. Aug. 11 undergraduate commencement ceremony in the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus.

Buffet manages the Howard G. Buffet Foundation, a private philanthropic organization that works to improve the standard of living and quality of life for the world's most impoverished and marginalized populations.

The Penn State Board of Trustees today (July 13) took a step in support of the University's global engagement efforts by approving the creation of a trust in South Africa to facilitate research, education and outreach, contingent upon approval of the University's Office of General Counsel.

"One of Penn State's strategic goals is to realize our potential as a global university," said Penn State President Rodney Erickson. "We are doing this not by building physical facilities overseas, but rather by selectively partnering with existing universities around the world."

Penn State President Rodney Erickson, Board of Trustees Chairman Karen Peetz and Board member Ken Frazier took questions from members of the media on July 12, several hours after former FBI director and federal judge Louis Freeh released a report detailing an independent investigation into the University's actions related to child abuse charges against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. The press conference followed the release of an official statement from the Board.

The report, released after an eight-month investigation, indicates that University leaders in key positions failed to report suspicions of child abuse to proper authorities, and states that they concealed Sandusky's actions from the Board of Trustees and the University community, as well as authorities. "If there's one thing that should be abundantly clear, it is that all responsible and caring adults have a responsibility to safeguard the children in our community," Frazier said.

Penn State is participating in the Dow Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge Awards (SISCA) this year for the first time in the program's history. Graduate students and faculty from Penn State are encouraged to join an international field of universities that are involved in the program. The overall student winner of the competition will win $10,000 and the runner-up will win $2,500.

To provide the Penn State community with a more efficient and cost-effective resource for conducting student-related business, the University's aging Integrated Student Information System (ISIS) is slated to be replaced. After an extensive needs assessment, the ISIS Replacement Executive Committee decided to move forward with the purchase and implementation of a vendor-provided student information system.

Penn State Federal Credit Union is warning members of the University community to beware of a phishing scam targeted toward credit union members, among others. The scam, which is being conducted by way of phone calls and text messages, tells recipients that their cards have been deactivated or locked and asks for sensitive account information. Do not respond to such messages.

"It's never been a better time to be a learner. Active engagement with the resources that are available -- free and very low-cost open content -- that's what is required to see this as a great opportunity. Adult learners have a lot more choices today. That means higher education institutions have to make choices, as well. You need to figure out your [institution's] strengths and focus on personalized learning plans. Help people figure out their goals and interests and map out a plan to get there. Institutions that get this right will have an advantage."

-- Anya Kamenetz, educational gamechanger and senior writer for Fast Company Magazine, keynote speaker on May 14 at the Hendrick Best Practices for Adult Learners Conference. An educational futurist, Kamenetz is author of the book "DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs and the Coming Transformation of Higher Education," which focuses on how technology is disrupting the higher education industry. The Hendrick Conference brings together Penn State administrators, faculty and staff to share their best practices for working with and improving the educational experiences of adult learners University-wide.

Emergency personnel from Penn State and municipalities throughout the Centre Region will participate in a full-scale emergency response exercise at the University Park Airport from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 23. The airport will be open and operating under a normal schedule during this drill. Traffic may be heavier than normal, however, so travelers should allow extra time to get to the airport.